Jeff Neumann, Author at Gizmodo

News of the World Reporters Probably Tried to Hack 9/11 Victims’ Phones, Too

And now for some news that probably won’t shock you: According to a report in the Daily Mirror today, reporters from Rupert Murdoch’s News of the World asked a former NYPD officer who was working as a private investigator to access the phone records of British 9/11 victims. The Mirror’s anonymous source claims that: “This…

Tech News Jeff Neumann Jul 11

Now You Can Own the Taliban Chess Set

It’s too late for Father’s Day, but surely you can find a reason to give someone the Taliban chess set, from Canadian toy company Hedwig & Sergeant Major. Fight the “Good War” from the comfort of your own home! For just $250, you can choose a set, such as America vs. Taliban, or Britain vs.…

Tech News Jeff Neumann Jun 21

Fanny Pack-Wearing Terrorist Ignites Montana Shoot Out

A 47-year-old man named David Burgert is the focus of a federal manhunt in Montana after he initiated a gunfight with Missoula County sheriff’s deputies on Sunday, and then fled into the Lolo National Forest. Authorities told the AP that Burgert may have food and ammunition stashed in several pre-planned locations in the forest. Agents…

Tech News Jeff Neumann Jun 14

NY Lawmakers Want Teen Sexting Reeducation Program

Some lawmakers in New York have finally decided that prosecuting teens under child pornography laws for sexting is ridiculous, and on Friday proposed the “Cyber Crime Youth Rescue Act” — which, if passed, would create a “educational reform program” to teach teens about the dangers of sexting. Members of the State Assembly want kids to…

Tech News Jeff Neumann Jun 6

Unabomber Collectibles Sell for $190K

The Unabomber auction has ended, and over $190,000 was raised for his victims. The hottest item was a collection of Kaczynski’s personal journals that went for $40,676, while his iconic hoodie and sunglasses sold for $20,025. https://gizmodo.com/unabombers-manifesto-sunglasses-on-auction-block-5801510

Tech News Jeff Neumann Jun 3

Feds Raid ‘Suicide Kit’ Lady’s Suicide Lair

Selling plastic bags on the internet just might earn you a visit from the FBI. That’s what happened on Wednesday to 91-year-old Sharlotte Hydorn from California, who sells “suicide kits” through the mail for $60. From The San Diego Union-Tribune: A day after agents raided her El Cajon-area house, seizing a sewing machine and other…

Tech News Jeff Neumann May 27

The Best Deals Still Available from the Unabomber Auction

If you’re anything like we are, you sit around in your free time and ask yourself, “Hmm, what’s going on with the Unabomber auction?” Well, we can tell you this: bidding is brisk on the marquee items, but there are still some great finds of historical significance that are seeing little action. http://gawker.com/5801518/unabomber-manifesto-sunglasses-on-auction-block Of course,…

Tech News Jeff Neumann May 25

If the Cops Come Knocking, Don’t Flush

The Supreme Court yesterday took issue with the Fourth Amendment, the right of Americans to be secure “against unreasonable searches and seizures.” The lede of this New York Times story says it all: The police do not need a warrant to enter a home if they smell burning marijuana, knock loudly, announce themselves and hear…

Tech News Jeff Neumann May 17

Supermarket Killer Asked for a Huge Knife Before Beheading

Deyan Deyanov, the Bulgarian man who attacked and beheaded a British woman on Tenerife last week for no apparent reason, had walked into another supermarket a half hour before the attack and asked for a large knife, according to the Telegraph. He was caught on CCTV (above) gesturing how big the knife (sword?) should be.…

Tech News Jeff Neumann May 16

Unabomber’s Manifesto, Sunglasses on Auction Block

Last year, a Montana real estate agent was offering “Unabomber” Ted Kaczynski’s “very secluded” 1.4 acre Montana spread for a pretty decent asking price of $69,500. It even came with chopped firewood. And now, the U.S. Marshals Service is putting a trove of Unabomber collectibles up for auction online, starting next week and running through…

Tech News Jeff Neumann May 13

NYC Libraries Still Cool with Internet Porn

Did you know that New York’s public libraries have basically turned into jack shacks for old men and teens? It’s true. We know this because the city’s moral barometer, the New York Post, approached one “elderly porn watcher” who was streaming a threesome on a computer in a Brooklyn library. When approached for comment on…

Tech News Jeff Neumann Apr 25

Pope to Phone Space Next Month

Internationally-recognized celestial being Pope Benedict XVI will holler at space next month, when he calls a pair of Italian astronauts aboard the International Space Station on a special Vatican hotline set up especially for holy calls from the Pope to outer space. If the Pope is really nice, he’ll give the astronaut going up in…

Tech News Jeff Neumann Apr 22

North Koreans Get Revolution Updates from Balloons

The South Korean military today sent tens of thousands of helium balloons toward North Korea with leaflets informing people there of the revolutions taking place across the Middle East and reading, “a dictatorial regime is destined to collapse,” according [Gawker]

Social Media Jeff Neumann Feb 25

Utah Bioweapon Defense Facility Locked Down Over ‘Serious Concern’ (Updated)

It’s probably nothing, but Utah’s Dugway Proving Ground — where the Army tests biological weapon defense systems — is on lockdown and no one can leave. “We are working […] to resolve a serious concern within the Test Area.” (Updated) Via ksl.com, a statement from Dugway Proving Ground: Wednesday, “during a routine inventory of sensitive…

Tech News Jeff Neumann Jan 27

Confused Old Driver Follows GPS Directions Into Old Church

Old people and technology don’t always get along. Like the retired British couple who were driving in Germany last week when their GPS told them to turn right, leading them straight into a 19th century church. Damn you, computer things! The church suffered some $37,000 worth of damage, and the retired couple were briefly treated…

Tech News Jeff Neumann Jan 25

Hacker Squanders Great Opportunity with Sarkozy’s Facebook Account

French President Nicolas Sarkozy’s Facebook account was hacked yesterday. The perpetrator wrote, “I have decided in my spirit and conscience not to run for office again,” then invited people for going away drinks next year. Eh, this one was better. http://gawker.com/5640641/french-foreign-ministrys-twitter-account-hacked-to-reflect-sarkozys-true-feelings

Social Media Jeff Neumann Jan 24

A Smartphone Is a Prisoner’s Best Friend

A recent prison strike orchestrated by an inmate with a cell phone has touched off a debate about how to stop them from getting in. Prisoners can post pictures on Facebook and arrange drug deals. Even Charles Manson had one! http://gawker.com/5712939/prisoners-are-americas-strongest-union The Times today has a story that examines the many ways prisoners can obtain…

Social Media Jeff Neumann Jan 3

Chicago Police Will Taser Just About Anyone

Over the last year, Chicago police have used tasers on people 683 times — an increase from just 197 times in 2009. That’s because the police department more than doubled its taser arsenal, and stopped investigating every taser-related incident. In an annual report released today by the Independent Police Review Authority, the department’s decision last…

Tech News Jeff Neumann Dec 7

The Life and Times of a Colombian Cocaine Submarine Captain

Gustavo Alonso was the captain of a cocaine submarine based in Colombia, until he was arrested at sea with 3.5 tons of coke on board. He soon realized that solitary confinement in prison was better than working for the cartels. German weekly Der Spiegel interviewed “Alonso,” who spoke on condition of anonymity for obvious reasons.…

Tech News Jeff Neumann Dec 3

Convicted Murderer Posts Prison Party Pics on Facebook

Justin Walker is serving a 30-year sentence for the killing of an Oklahoma Sheriff. “Jus N” has a Facebook page. Also, apparently, a Blackberry, a bong, a stash of weed, knives, some booze and other goodies inside his jail cell. Oklahoma’s FOX 23 News found out about “Jus N Walk” and his Facebook page, which,…

Social Media Jeff Neumann Dec 1

Jeff Neumann

News of the World Reporters Probably Tried to Hack 9/11 Victims’ Phones, Too

Now You Can Own the Taliban Chess Set

Fanny Pack-Wearing Terrorist Ignites Montana Shoot Out

NY Lawmakers Want Teen Sexting Reeducation Program

Unabomber Collectibles Sell for $190K

Feds Raid ‘Suicide Kit’ Lady’s Suicide Lair

The Best Deals Still Available from the Unabomber Auction

If the Cops Come Knocking, Don’t Flush

Supermarket Killer Asked for a Huge Knife Before Beheading

Unabomber’s Manifesto, Sunglasses on Auction Block

NYC Libraries Still Cool with Internet Porn

Pope to Phone Space Next Month

North Koreans Get Revolution Updates from Balloons

Utah Bioweapon Defense Facility Locked Down Over ‘Serious Concern’ (Updated)

Confused Old Driver Follows GPS Directions Into Old Church

Hacker Squanders Great Opportunity with Sarkozy’s Facebook Account

A Smartphone Is a Prisoner’s Best Friend

Chicago Police Will Taser Just About Anyone

The Life and Times of a Colombian Cocaine Submarine Captain

Convicted Murderer Posts Prison Party Pics on Facebook

See the Early Stages of How ‘Project Hail Mary’ Brought Rocky to Life

‘Cognitive Surrender’ Is a New and Useful Term for How AI Melts Brains

HP Omen Max 45L Review: 4K60 Gaming Has Never Been So Easy

Marshall Acton III Home Speaker Drops to a Record Low, the Deal Countdown Has Already Started

Ecovacs Winbot W3 Omni Review: Window Cleaning Robots Have a Long Way to Go

I’m Worried About the Helpless AI Disruptors of the Future

Russia Allegedly Swung at VPNs but Accidentally Hit Its Own Banking Sector Instead

Ryan Coogler Is Shifting ‘Animorphs’ Into a Disney+ Show

No Fooling, ‘Spaceballs 2’ Will Hit Theaters April 2027

I Regret to Inform You That the Artemis II Astronauts Are Having Lots of Screen Time

AirPods Max 2 vs. Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen): Which ANC Headphones Win?

The Best Gadgets of March 2026

AirPods Max 2 Review: Still Ridiculously Expensive and Ridiculously Nice

DJI Osmo 360 Review: The Best 360 Camera for the DJI-Pilled

Aqara Smart Lock U400 Review: Hands-free Unlocking at Its Best

MSI Prestige 14 Flip AI+ Review: A Solid 2-in-1 Laptop With Some Glaring Flaws

Sonos Play Review: Call It a Comeback

Sonos Era 100 SL Review: The Cheapest Way Into Wired Sonos Sound

Asus ROG’s Massive Swift OLED Gaming Monitor Epitomizes Excess in the Best Way

The Ikea Varmblixt Smart Lamp Fills a Donut Hole in My Life